Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer Research Articles

Potential for trans-pulmonary tumor markers in the early diagnosis of lung cancer: a case report

BackgroundMeasurement of tumor markers from peripheral venous blood is an emerging tool to assist in the early diagnosis of lung cancer. Samples from the pulmonary artery and pulmonary artery wedge position (trans-pulmonary samples) are accessible via right-heart catheterization and, by virtue of their proximity to lung tumors, may increase diagnostic yield.Case presentationWe report a case of a 64 year-old woman from whom trans-pulmonary samples were obtained and who was diagnosed 16 months later with recurrent metastatic small cell lung cancer. Carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin fragment 21 − 1 (CYFRA), and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) levels demonstrated increasing concentrations across the pulmonary circulation. These gradients exceeded the assays’ coefficient of variation by several-fold. For CYFRA and HE4, pulmonary artery wedge concentrations exceeded peripheral venous levels by more than 10% and peripheral arterial levels were up to 8% higher than peripheral venous levels.ConclusionsEvaluating the feasibility and utility of trans-pulmonary tumor markers for lung cancer diagnosis in a larger cohort should be considered. The addition of a peripheral arterial sample to standard peripheral venous samples may be a more practical alternative.

Prognostic Significance of the Advanced Lung Cancer Inflammation Index in Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis of 96 Patients.

BACKGROUND The advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) is regarded as a potential indicator of systemic inflammation. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of the ALI in 96 patients with advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study included 96 patients who were diagnosed with extensive stage SCLC in a single institution between 2016 and 2022. The formula for ALI is body mass index (kg/m²)×serum albumin (g/dL)/neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. Patients were divided into low inflammation (ALI ≥32.5) and high inflammation (ALI <32.5) groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional analysis were conducted to assess the association between the ALI and patient prognosis. RESULTS Median age was 61 (range: 41-82) years. Median follow-up was 9 months, and median overall survival (OS) was 10 months (95% CI: 7.75-12.45). A lower ALI score (ALI <32.5) was correlated with a poorer OS than was a higher ALI score (median OS 7 months for ALI <32.5 95% CI: 4.6-9.3 vs 15 months for ALI ≥32.5, 95% CI: 10.6-19.3, P<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, ALI score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, brain metastasis, and bone metastasis were identified as independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS ALI score is a substantial predictor of survival in SCLC as in other types of cancer types. Patients with a low ALI score have poorer survival. Assessment of ALI can identify lung cancer patients at high risk of poor prognosis and can be a useful prognostic marker in clinical practice.

Role of radiation in oligo-progression in EGFR mutated metastatic non small cell lung cancer

Role of radiation in oligo-progression in EGFR mutated metastatic non small cell lung cancer

Therapeutic targeting ERRγ suppresses metastasis via extracellular matrix remodeling in small cell lung cancer

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive and lethal type of lung cancer, characterized by limited treatment options, early and frequent metastasis. However, the determinants of metastasis in SCLC are poorly defined. Here, we show that estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERRγ) is overexpressed in metastatic SCLC tumors, and is positively associated with SCLC progression. ERRγ functions as an essential activator of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and cell adhesion, two critical steps in metastasis, by directly regulating the expression of major genes involved in these processes. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of ERRγ markedly reduces collagen production, cell-matrix adhesion, microfilament production, and eventually blocks SCLC cell invasion and tumor metastasis. Notably, ERRγ antagonists significantly suppressed tumor growth and metastasis and restored SCLC vulnerability to chemotherapy in multiple cell-derived and patient-derived xenograft models. Taken together, these findings establish ERRγ as an attractive target for metastatic SCLC and provide a potential pharmacological strategy for treating this lethal disease.

A review of trilaciclib, a first-in-class cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor, for the management of metastatic small-cell lung cancer

A review of trilaciclib, a first-in-class cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor, for the management of metastatic small-cell lung cancer

Camrelizumab combined with anlotinib as second-line therapy for metastatic or recurrent small cell lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

This retrospective study evaluates the efficacy of camrelizumab combined with anlotinib versus chemotherapy in patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) undergoing second-line treatment. Data were sourced from medical records at a Chinese medical facility, involving 34 patients diagnosed with ES-SCLC after failing first-line treatment. Patients were divided into two groups: one received camrelizumab (200 mg every 3 weeks) with anlotinib (12 mg daily for 14 days followed by a 7-day rest), while the other group received physician-chosen chemotherapy administered every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), with secondary endpoints including overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR). The combination therapy group showed a significant improvement in PFS compared to the chemotherapy group (median PFS: 7 months vs. 3 months; hazard ratio (HR): 0.34; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15-0.77; p<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in OS between the groups (16.3 months vs. 17.3 months; p=0.82). The ORR was 52.9% in the combination therapy group versus 23.5% in the chemotherapy group (p=0.08), and the DCR was 82.4% compared to 58.8% (p=0.26). Grade 3 or higher adverse events were observed in 17.6% of the combination therapy group and 29.4% of the chemotherapy group. The findings suggest that the combination of camrelizumab and anlotinib offers a superior anti-tumor response with a manageable safety profile in a second-line setting for ES-SCLC patients. This combination regimen may be a viable option for second-line ES-SCLC treatment.

Unusual response with tyrosine kinase inhibitor in small-cell lung cancer

Abstract: The discovery of targetable mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has opened up a plethora of therapeutic options. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are found in 10%–20% of NSCLC; however, it is extremely rare in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), and the efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in SCLC is unclear. Here, we describe the case of a 57-year-old nonsmoker lady who was diagnosed with metastatic SCLC. She received multiple lines of palliative chemotherapy. She was deemed unfit for further chemotherapy and immunotherapy and was started on tablet erlotinib empirically. On follow-up imaging with positron emission tomography-computed tomography, she had a partial response and has currently on erlotinib for 2.5 years without disease progression. Although cases with transformation of EGFR-mutated NSCLC to SCLC have been observed, de novo EGFR mutation in SCLC is infrequent. It has been observed that de novo EGFR mutation in SCLC is associated with females, non-smokers, and patients in the eastern part of the world. The current guidelines do not recommend molecular testing for EGFR mutations in SCLC. We described a case of SCLC who had a response to TKI and such cases warrant an answer to whether EGFR mutation testing should be recommended in nonsmoker, females with SCLC, or for them who have failed the first line of chemotherapy.

Abstract PR006: DNA repair inhibition via targeting ATR activates cGAS/STING signaling, promotes anti-tumor immunity, and is a synthetic lethal strategy to augment immunotherapy response in preclinical models and clinical samples of small cell lung cancer

Abstract Introduction: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive subtype of lung cancer. Clinical trials of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) combined with chemotherapy delivered only very modest benefits. In this study, we investigated the effect of targeting ataxia telangiectasia and rad3-related (ATR), the primary activator of the replication stress response, in SCLC. Clinical samples from treatment naïve and treated SCLC patients were analyzed by single cell and bulk RNA sequencing to ascertain the intratumoral transcriptional heterogeneity and the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). Methods: In this study, we investigated the effect of ATR inhibition either alone or in combination with PD-L1 blockade in multiple immunocompetent mouse models of SCLC. The downstream effects of ATR inhibition were assessed by bulk RNA sequencing, and multicolor flow cytometry. The SCLC clinical samples from treatment naïve and patients treated were analyzed by single cell and bulk RNA sequencing. Results: In multiple immunocompetent SCLC mouse models, ATR inhibition (ATRi) remarkably enhanced the anti-tumor effect of PD-L1 blockade. We next tested the ATR inhibition either alone or in combination with PD-L1 in the second-line regimen for SCLC. We observed that ATR inhibition in combination with PD-L1 blockade significantly reduced tumor volume and prolonged survival of aggressive mice models when compared to PD-L1 alone. Targeting ATR enhanced the expression of PD-L1, activated the cGAS/STING pathway, induced the expression of Type I and II interferon pathways, and caused significant infiltration of cytotoxic and memory/effector T-cells into tumors. Interestingly, ATRi also led to significant induction of MHC class I in SCLC in vitro and in vivo models. Single-cell RNA sequencing data provided a deep annotation of SCLC phenotypes and the surrounding immune TME. Treatment and subtype are associated with substantial phenotypic changes in the SCLC immune microenvironment, with greater T-cell dysfunction in SCLC-N than in SCLC-A. Moreover, a recurrent highly metastatic SCLC subset is associated with exhausted CD8+ T-cells and a pro-fibrotic, immunosuppressive monocyte/macrophage population, suggesting possible tumor-immune coordination to promote metastasis. Specifically, analysis of pre-and post-treatment clinical samples from a proof-of-concept study of a first-in-class ATR inhibitor, VX970 (berzosertib), and topotecan, in patients with relapsed SCLCs, validated the induction of MHC class I and interferon pathway genes, for the first time in this disease. Conclusion: We provide insight into tumor and immune biology in SCLC at single-cell resolution. Further, we show ATRi as a potentially transformative vulnerability of SCLC. Given the increasing importance of immunotherapy for the management of SCLC and that ATR inhibitors are already in clinical trials, combining ATR inhibitors with PD-L1-blockade offers an attractive strategy for the treatment of SCLC and contributes to the rapid translation of this combination into the clinic. Citation Format: Triparna Sen. DNA repair inhibition via targeting ATR activates cGAS/STING signaling, promotes anti-tumor immunity, and is a synthetic lethal strategy to augment immunotherapy response in preclinical models and clinical samples of small cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Expanding and Translating Cancer Synthetic Vulnerabilities; 2024 Jun 10-13; Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2024;23(6 Suppl):Abstract nr PR006.

Updated results from a phase 1/2 study of HPN328, a tri-specific, half-life (T1/2) extended DLL3-targeting T-cell engager in patients (pts) with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and other neuroendocrine cancers (NEC).

8090 Background: Delta-like canonical Notch ligand 3 (DLL3) is highly expressed on the cell surface of neuroendocrine carcinomas, which have few approved treatment options in the refractory, metastatic setting. HPN328 is DLL3-targeting T-cell engager. HPN328 has 3 binding domains including anti-DLL3 for target engagement, anti-albumin for half-life extension, and anti-CD3 for T cell engagement and activation. Methods: Pts with relapsed/refractory, metastatic SCLC, neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) and other NEC associated with DLL3 expression are eligible. Primary objectives are safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and pharmacokinetics (PK). Secondary objectives are immunogenicity and efficacy. Overall response rate (ORR) is determined using modified RECIST v1.1 to include extracranial response assessment for pts treated with radiotherapy for brain metastases while on treatment. HPN328 is administered IV QW or Q2W with priming dose preceding target dose in higher dose cohorts. Results: As of January 5, 2024, 86 pts received HPN328 doses of 0.015-24 mg across 14 cohorts (SCLC [n = 54;63%]; other NEC [n = 32;37%]). The median (range) number of prior regimens was 3 (1-7); 83% previously received a PD-1/PD-L1 blocker. Treatment is ongoing in 24 of 46 (52%) pts in the dose optimization cohorts (1 mg priming dose with 12 or 24 mg target doses QW or Q2W). Treatment-related AEs in ≥ 10% of pts included CRS (59% [30% G1, 26% G2, 3% G3+]), dysgeusia (36%), fatigue (34%), diarrhea (19%), nausea (17%), vomiting (14%), decreased appetite and decreased neutrophil count (13% each), and weight decreased (11%). No G3-4 CRS was seen at target doses. Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) occurred in 9% of pts, all G1-2. The maximum tolerated priming dose was 1 mg; dose escalation of target dose continued up to 24 mg QW without reaching a maximum tolerated target dose. Among efficacy evaluable pts treated in dose optimization cohorts, the confirmed ORR in SCLC was 50% (12/24), with one complete response (CR). In NEC (other than NEPC) the confirmed ORR was 44% (4/9), with one CR. Four of eleven pts with NEPC had unconfirmed PRs in 1 mg priming dose cohorts, with 5 NEPC pts remaining on treatment &gt; 20 weeks. HPN328 exhibited linear PK with dose-proportional increases in exposure and a median T1/2 of 71 hrs. Transient increases in cytokines up to 24 hrs post-dose and T-cell activation were observed. Conclusions: HPN328 is well tolerated and clinically active in SCLC, NEC, and NEPC. Current dose optimization cohorts have completed enrollment and data continue to mature; selection of a recommended phase 2 dose will be made based upon complete mature data. Updated safety and efficacy results will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT04471727 .

Efficacy and safety of lurbinectedin (LUR) with irinotecan (IRI) in patients (Pts) with relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Results from a phase 2 expansion cohort.

8094 Background: LUR has been approved in the US and elsewhere for treatment of adult pts with metastatic SCLC and disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Preclinical studies found synergy for LUR with IRI (Galmarini C. Cancer Res 2013; 73: Abst 5499). The phase 1b/2 study PM1183-A-014-15 (NCT02611024) evaluated the LUR/IRI combination in pretreated pts with advanced solid tumors. The phase 1b part defined the recommended dose at LUR 2.0 mg/m2 on Day (D)1 + IRI 75 mg/m2 on D1,D8 every three weeks with primary G-CSF prophylaxis, and found promising results for the combination in SCLC pts after first-line therapy (Ponce Aix S. Ann Oncol 2019; 30: Abst 471P). Methods: Eligibility criteria for this cohort of the phase 2 part of this study included: confirmed SCLC, progression after one platinum-containing regimen, controlled brain metastases and ECOG PS ≤ 1. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Results: 101 evaluable pts were enrolled. Baseline characteristics included: median age 63 (range, 45-77 y), 60.4% males, 76.2% ECOG PS 1, 28.7% CNS involvement, 39.6% bulky disease and 41.6% pretreated with immunotherapy. Chemotherapy-free interval (CTFI) was &lt;90 d in 51.4% of pts (26.7% had CTFI&lt;30 d. Median CTFI was 85 d (range, 0-323 d). Median number of cycles per pt was 6 (range, 1-34); 25.7% received &gt;10 cycles. Efficacy results by independent review committee are summarized in the table. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were observed in 99.0% of pts (grade ≥3 in 69.3%). Most relevant grade ≥3 events/abnormalities were neutropenia (52.5%), anemia (27.7%), diarrhea (19.8%), fatigue (18.8%), and febrile neutropenia (9.9%). Treatment-related SAEs occurred in 25.0% of pts and 5.0% discontinued due to treatment-related AEs. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusions: The LUR/IRI combination showed promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in these pts with poor prognosis, particularly those with CTFI&gt;30 d. These encouraging results reinforce the rationale for including this combination as an experimental arm in the ongoing pivotal phase 3 LAGOON trial (NCT05153239) in relapsed SCLC with CTFI&gt;30 d. Clinical trial information: NCT02611024 . [Table: see text]

Phase I/II study of pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG 20) in combination with gemcitabine and docetaxel in non-small cell and small cell lung cancers.

TPS3189 Background: Arginine is essential to neoplastic growth and development, yet many cancer cells do not express argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS1), an enzyme necessary to produce arginine. ADI-PEG 20 is a microbial enzyme that degrades arginine causing arginine auxotrophy in cancer cells that are ASS1 negative. Preclinical data suggests that ADI-PEG 20 in combination with docetaxel (D), resulted in increased expression of hENT, the transporter for gemcitabine (G) as well upregulation of dCK to trap G inside of cancer cells. A phase II trial of ADI-PEG 20, G and D was shown to be a safe and efficacious combination in soft tissue sarcoma (STS). We are conducting a phase I/II trial examining the safety, tolerability, to determine the recommended phase II dose (R2PD) and evaluate the efficacy of this combination in patients with previously treated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) with an alternative dosing regimen than that used in STS based on the mechanism of action. Methods: Eligible pts include previously treated metastatic NSCLC and SCLC with performance status 0-1 with adequate organ function. Pts are excluded if previously treated with G; however, prior use of docetaxel is permitted. Up to 12 patients will be enrolled in an open-label phase I trial with a 3 + 3 dose escalation design with ADI-PEG 20 in combination with G and D. Primary objectives of the phase I portion are to determine the safety, tolerability and recommend phase II dose (RP2D) of combination ADI-PEG 20, G and D. Pts will be treated with ADI-PEG 20 intramuscularly at 36mg/m2 on day -7 of cycle 1 and then on days 1, 8, and 15 of each subsequent cycle with dose-escalated G (600, 750, 900 mg/m2) on day 2 and D (60, 75, 75 mg/m2) on day 1 of each 21-day cycle for up to 8 cycles then will continue with combination therapy at provider discretion for up to 34 cycles. The phase II will consist of two cohorts (NSCLC and SCLC) receiving the triplet treatments at the RP2D determined during phase I. Primary objective of the phase II portion is to determine the objective response rate (ORR) in each cohort. Phase II uses a Simon optimal two-stage design per cohort for ORR with a minimum of 12 patients and a maximum of 36 patients per cohort. In the phase I, patient accrual at the maximum tolerated dose level is nearing completion and ADI-PEG in combination with G and D will be further evaluated in the phase II with separate cohorts for NSCLC and SCLC. Clinical trial information: NCT05616624 .

Microenvironment shapes small-cell lung cancer neuroendocrine states and presents therapeutic opportunities

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most fatal form of lung cancer. Intratumoral heterogeneity, marked by neuroendocrine (NE) and non-neuroendocrine (non-NE) cell states, defines SCLC, but the cell-extrinsic drivers of SCLC plasticity are poorly understood. To map the landscape of SCLC tumor microenvironment (TME), we apply spatially resolved transcriptomics and quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to metastatic SCLC tumors obtained via rapid autopsy. The phenotype and overall composition of non-malignant cells in the TME exhibit substantial variability, closely mirroring the tumor phenotype, suggesting TME-driven reprogramming of NE cell states. We identify cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as a crucial element of SCLC TME heterogeneity, contributing to immune exclusion, and predicting exceptionally poor prognosis. Our work provides a comprehensive map of SCLC tumor and TME ecosystems, emphasizing their pivotal role in SCLC's adaptable nature, opening possibilities for reprogramming the TME-tumor communications that shape SCLC tumor states.

#1925 A rare cause of hyponatremia due to adrenal insufficiency in a patient with small cell lung cancer

Abstract Background and Aims Hyponatremia is the most frequent electrolyte disorder. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) release often antidiuretic hormone paraneoplastically. But Adrenal insufficiency is a rare cause of hyponatremia in SCLC. Prior one can cause euvolemic hyponatremia, latter one can cause hypovolemic hyponatremia. Opposite treatments should be applied for each one. So They should be investigated carefully before starting the treatment. Method A male patient who had metastatic SCLC was admitted to the emergency. After physical examination blood and urine tests were provided. Results A 52-year-old male patient who had metastatic SCLC was admitted to the emergency unit because of fatigue, weakness and confusion. On physical examination the patient's face was darkened but his conjunctiva was pale, his tongue and mucous membranes were dry. The blood pressure was 90/60 mm Hg. The test results provided were as follows: Glucose 106 mg/dL, creatinine 0.42 mg/dL, urea 38.1 mg/dL, sodium 109 mmol/L, potassium 3.3 mmol/L, white blood cells 9760 /mm3, hemoglobin: 9 g/dL, platelets: 176000/mm3. The patient had no chemotherapy during the last three months. He also did not have a history of antihypertensive treatment. The echocardiographic examination revealed that the ejection fraction was 60%. The abdominal computerized tomography scan showed multiple metastasis of the tumor, but adrenal glands were free of metastasis. The sodium deficit was calculated targeting to 120 mmol/L and therapy was started. The patient's weight was 70 kg. The calculated sodium deficit was 420 mmol. Since the hyponatremia was chronic, the deficit was planned to be given in 24 hours. Potassium was also given. During hospitalization, on day 2nd the patient's blood and urine tests were as follows: Creatinine 0.58 mg/dL, urine creatinine 22.8 mg/dL, 24-hour urine volume 2200 mL, 24-hour creatinine clearance 60 ml/min. Urine sodium concentration 105.6 mmol/L, serum sodium 114 mmol/L, sodium clearance: 1.41 ml/min. Fractional sodium excretion was 2.3%. Although the treatment was continued for 6 days, with the same dose of 420 mEq sodium given for each day, the serum sodium concentration reached to 115 mmol/L on day 6. (Totally, 2520 mEq of sodium was given for 6 days). Therefore, hyponatremia was thought to be due to urinary loss of sodium. The fractional sodium excretion of 2.3% supported this. All these findings suggested the diagnosis of renal salt wasting in this patient. We decided to give the patient fludrocortisone (Astonin H 0.1 mg) twice a day orally in addition to sodium chloride tablets (approximately 1.5 gram = 25-30 mmol). During the follow-up of the patient, the both fludrocortisone pills and salt tablets increased to 2 × 2, finally, when reached the level of sodium is above 130 mmol/L, salt tablets were stopped. One thing need to be noted here; hyponatremia did not improve unless giving fludrocortisone. But after this, although more sodium was given during sodium replacement, there was no increase in fractionated sodium excretion, on the contrary, it decreased. On day 14th, Fractional sodium elimination was 1.7%. Serum Na: 133 mmol/L. The patient was advised to take fludrocortisone tablets twice a day orally and was discharged from hospital on day 15th when serum sodium concentration was 138 mmol/L. If a patient with serum cortisol level below 4 mcg/dl have been evaluated as adrenal insufficiency regardless of ACTH level in sera.; additionally, hyperpigmentation and hyponatremia due to salt wasting through the kidneys led us to diagnose. The hyponatremia resolved only after added fludrocortisone. Conclusion However SCLC can give rise euvolemic hyponatremia producing ADH generally, besides, SCLC can cause adrenal insufficiency leading to serious hypovolemic hyponatremia. Diagnose is of crucial importance for correct treatment which can be only achieved by replacing the both sodium and fludrocortisone.

Blocking the angiopoietin-2-dependent integrin β-1 signaling axis abrogates small cell lung cancer invasion and metastasis.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive lung cancer entity with an extremely limited therapeutic outcome. Most patients are diagnosed at an extensive stage. However, the molecular mechanisms driving SCLC invasion and metastasis remain largely elusive. We used an autochthonous SCLC mouse model and matched samples from patients with primary and metastatic SCLC to investigate the molecular characteristics of tumor metastasis. We demonstrate that tumor cell invasion and liver metastasis in SCLC are triggered by an Angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2)/Integrin β-1-dependent pathway in tumor cells, mediated by focal adhesion kinase/Src kinase signaling. Strikingly, CRISPR-Cas9 KO of Integrin β-1 or blocking Integrin β-1 signaling by an anti-ANG-2 treatment abrogates liver metastasis formation in vivo. Interestingly, analysis of a unique collection of matched samples from patients with primary and metastatic SCLC confirmed a strong increase of Integrin β-1 in liver metastasis in comparison with the primary tumor. We further show that ANG-2 blockade combined with PD-1-targeted by anti-PD-1 treatment displays synergistic treatment effects in SCLC. Together, our data demonstrate a fundamental role of ANG-2/Integrin β-1 signaling in SCLC cells for tumor cell invasion and liver metastasis and provide a potentially new effective treatment strategy for patients with SCLC.

Characterization of zinc finger protein 536, a neuroendocrine regulator, using pan-cancer analysis

BackgroundPrevious studies suggested that zinc finger protein 536 (ZNF536) was abundant in the central brain and regulated neuronal differentiation. However, the role of ZNF536 in cancer has remained unclear.MethodsZNF536 mutation, copy number alteration, DNA methylation, and RNA expression were explored using public portals. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were utilized to analyze pathways and tumor microenvironment (TME), with a focus on prognosis in both TCGA and immunotherapy pan-cancer cohorts. Methylated ZNF536 from small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines were utilized to train with probes for conducting enrichment analysis. Single-cell RNA profile demonstrated the sublocalization and co-expression of ZNF536, and validated its targets by qPCR.ResultsGenetic alterations in ZNF536 were found to be high-frequency and a single sample could harbor different variations. ZNF536 at chromosome 19q12 exerted a bypass effect on CCNE1, supported by CRISPR data. For lung cancer, ZNF536 mutation was associated with longer survival in primary lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), but its prognosis was poor in metastatic LUAD and SCLC. Importantly, ZNF536 mutation and amplification had opposite prognoses in Stand Up To Cancer-Mark Foundation (SU2C-MARK) LUAD cohort. ZNF536 mutation altered the patterns of genomic alterations in tumors, and had distinct impacts on the signaling pathways and TME compared to ZNF536 amplification. Additionally, ZNF536 expression was predominantly in endocrine tumors and brain tissues. High-dimensional analysis supported this finding and further revealed regulators of ZNF536. Considering that the methylation of ZNF536 was involved in the synaptic pathway associated with neuroendocrine neoplasms, demonstrating both diagnostic and prognostic value. Moreover, we experimentally verified ZNF536 upregulated neuroendocrine markers.ConclusionsOur results showed that ZNF536 alterations in cancer, including variations in copy number, mutation, and methylation. We proved the involvement of ZNF536 in neuroendocrine regulation, and identified highly altered ZNF536 as a potential biomarker for immunotherapy.

Abstract CT155: Trial in progress: A phase Ia/Ib, an open-label, multicenter study of ZL-1310 to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics in subjects with small cell lung cancer

Abstract Background: ZL-1310, a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting delta-like protein 3 (DLL3) with a camptothecin derivative as its payload via a protease-cleavable linker, employs TMALIN® (Tumor Microenvironment Activable LINker-payload) ADC technology platform. DLL3, an inhibitory Notch pathway ligand and a validated target for directed therapy, is highly expressed in more than 80% of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and also has variable expression in other neuroendocrine (NE) tumors. There remains an unmet medical need for 2nd-line SCLC, as the standard of care chemotherapy has a modest response rate of ~25%. ZL-1310 is designed to minimize payload toxicity and improve anti-tumor effectiveness. Methods: This is an open-label, multiple-dose, phase 1 study of ZL-1310 administered to subjects with relapsed/refractory (r/r) metastatic SCLC who have progressed after at least one platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. The study consists of two parts: Part 1 (dose escalation) and Part 2 (dose expansion). In Part 1, the Bayesian optimal interval (BOIN) design is employed for dose escalation, while in Part 2, patients will be randomized into two cohorts with different doses of ZL-1310 to further define safety and preliminary antitumor activity. The major inclusion criteria are as follows: (1) Subjects must have histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic or extensive-stage SCLC with no more than 3 prior regimens in the r/r setting. (2) Subjects must have at least one measurable target lesion as defined by RECIST v1.1. (3) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1. The major exclusion criteria include: (1) Prior exposure to DLL3-targeted therapy. (2) Subjects with symptomatic or uncontrolled brain metastasis requiring concurrent treatment, impaired major organ functions, active autoimmune disease, or active infections.Part 1 Dose Escalation is recruiting subjects in the US and China. Citation Format: Afshin Dowlati, Alexander Spira, Xiaodong Shen, Yinjia Fu, Yiyuan Pan, Linda Liu, Renke Zhou, Yi-Long Wu. Trial in progress: A phase Ia/Ib, an open-label, multicenter study of ZL-1310 to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics in subjects with small cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr CT155.

Atezolizumab-induced encephalitis in a patient with metastatic small cell lung cancer: A clinical case and literature review

The emergence of immunotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of cancer has become a breakthrough in the clinical practice of oncologists. Immunotherapeutic drugs include checkpoint inhibitors, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitor. However, their widespread use directly correlates not only with the rate of positive responses to therapy, but also with the rate of immune-mediated adverse events. The main mechanism of which is hyperactivation of T lymphocytes.

Post-marketing safety evaluation of lurbinectedin: a pharmacovigilance analysis based on the FAERS database.

Background: On 15 June 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lurbinectedin for treating adult patients with metastatic small-cell lung cancer whose disease has progressed despite prior platinum-based chemotherapy. Following its market approval, safety data on lurbinectedin in large populations is currently lacking. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate adverse events (AEs) associated with lurbinectedin using the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)database. Methods: Data concerning lurbinectedin from the FAERS database were extracted for the period from June 2020 to September 2023. Four disproportionality analysis algorithms were utilized to assess potential AEs linked to lurbinectedin: reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio, disproportionate multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker, and Bayesian confidence propagation neural network. These algorithms were applied to quantify signals of lurbinectedin-related AEs. Result: A total of 5,801,535 AE reports were retrieved from the FAERS database, with 511 related to lurbinectedin. These lurbinectedin-induced AEs were observed in 23 system organ classes (SOCs). After simultaneously applying the four algorithms, 47 lurbinectedin-induced AE signals were detected in 23 SOCs. At the SOC level, blood and lymphatic system disorders (ROR, 6.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.47-8.22) were the only SOC that met all four algorithms. Lurbinectedin's most frequent adverse event was death (ROR: 6.11%, 95% CI: 4.86-7.68), while extravasation exhibited the strongest signal intensity in the ROR algorithm (ROR: 326.37%, 95% CI: 191.66-555.75). Notably, we identified a novel signals: tumor lysis syndrome (ROR: 63.22%, 95% CI: 33.87-117.99). The mean time of onset of AEs was 66 days, the median time of onset was 25days (interquartile range: 8-64days), and most AEs occurred within the first month of lurbinectedin treatment. Conclusion: Our study provided a comprehensive evaluation of lurbinectedin's safety profile in the post-marketing setting. In addition to the adverse events consistent with the existing clinical trials and labeling information, we have also identified an unreported signal related to tumor lysis syndrome. This finding will better guide the clinical practice of lurbinectedin and provide valuable evidence for future research.

Renal Collision Tumor: A Case of Small Cell Lung Cancer Metastasis to Renal Angiomyolipoma.

A 68-year-old woman presented with chest pain and shortness of breath. Imaging revealed a left hilar mass biopsy-proven as small cell cancer. Concurrently, a macroscopic fat-containing renal lesion consistent with an angiomyolipoma was observed. Systemic therapy achieved stability in the lungs and bones, and palliative radiation targeted the left hilum. However, progressive lung disease and brain metastases necessitated stereotactic radiosurgery for brain lesions. Notably, the renal angiomyolipoma exhibited increased soft tissue component and new focal uptake on FDG PET/CT. Biopsy confirmed metastatic small cell lung cancer within the renal lesion. This case highlights a rare occurrence of a renal collision tumor involving small cell cancer and angiomyolipoma.

Single-cell low-pass whole genome sequencing accurately detects circulating tumor cells for liquid biopsy-based multi-cancer diagnosis

Accurate detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood and non-blood body fluids enables generation of deterministic cancer diagnosis and represent a less invasive and safer liquid biopsy approach. Although genomic alternations have been widely used in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis, studies on cell-based genomic alternations profiling for CTC detection are rare due to major technical limitations in single-cell whole genome sequencing (WGS) including low throughput, low accuracy and high cost. We report a single-cell low-pass WGS-based protocol (scMet-Seq) for sensitive and accurate CTC detection by combining a metabolic function-associated marker Hexokinase 2 (HK2) and a Tn5 transposome-based WGS method with improved cell fixation strategy. To explore the clinical use, scMet-Seq has been investigated with blood and non-blood body fluids in diagnosing metastatic diseases, including ascites-based diagnosis of malignant ascites (MA) and blood-based diagnosis of metastatic small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). ScMet-Seq shows high diagnostic sensitivity (MA: 79% in >10 cancer types; metastatic SCLC: 90%) and ~100% of diagnostic specificity and positive predictive value, superior to clinical cytology that exhibits diagnostic sensitivity of 52% in MA diagnosis and could not generate blood-based diagnosis. ScMet-Seq represents a liquid biopsy approach for deterministic cancer diagnosis in different types of cancers and body fluids.